Universal multi-purpose compartmentalized telecommunications box

ABSTRACT

A compartmentalized enclosure for controlling access to different components in a telecommunications system including a lower housing member shaped to define an outer perimeter portion and a cavity, a panel member configured to move between a closed panel position, where the panel member prevents access to equipment within the cavity, and an open panel position, where the panel member permits access to the cavity, wherein the panel member is disposed in the cavity of the lower housing member, and is shaped to define a inner perimeter portion that is configured to substantially match and fit within the outer perimeter portion of the lower housing member so as to form a substantially perimeter matching portion that prevents access to equipment within the cavity between the inner perimeter portion and the outer perimeter portion when the panel member is in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/964,568, filed Dec. 9, 2015, pending, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/863,427,filed Sep. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/053,850, filed Sep. 23, 2014, bothof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Thisapplication also claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/089,587, filed Dec. 9, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Cable and/or Internet service providers may offer a variety oftransmission technologies (e.g., radio, telephone, coaxial cable,twisted pair, fiber optic, broadband, wireless broadband, and satellitecommunications). Generally speaking, with the exception of antenna-basedsystems, these telecommunication system services are routed via asignal-carrying cable (e.g., coaxial) to a subscriber's residence oroffice. Before entering a subscriber's residence/office, such cablesgenerally pass through a secure enclosure (i.e., “house box,” or “entrybox”). During, for example, residential installation of cable service,the house box provides access to certain components necessary forinstallation of the cable service (e.g., coaxial male and femaleconnectors that must be connected), installing a splitter (providingservice connection endpoints to multiple locations within theresidence/office), and/or installing an amplifier (boosting a signalbeing conveyed to a distal location within the residence/office).

House boxes (configured for telecommunication system components) aregenerally known. However, the majority of conventional house boxes areconfigured to house only telecommunication system components made byand/or for a specific manufacturer. Thus, with a telecommunicationssystem installation requires telecommunication system components made byand/or for different manufacturers, service providers may need to placeseparate boxes on, for example, a homeowner's (residential) property toaccommodate the telecommunication system components of differentmanufacturers. The use of multiple component installation (house) boxeson a subscriber's residential property is undesirable both technicallyand esthetically.

Recently, some manufacturers have provided a large-size custom-built boxon demand, but, as discussed above, conventional boxes are completelysilent regarding providing access to certain components (e.g., RFequipment) while preventing access to (or hiding) other components(e.g., fiber optics components). For example, a service provider maydesire to prevent access to components (e.g., fiber components) byindividuals who do not have the requisite training to access thosecomponents (e.g., an untrained installation technician, residents whoare attempting to install cable service on their own). Moreover, thereis a desire for a small overall footprint of any telecommunicationsboxes on a property (because telecommunications boxes are generally notatheistically pleasing).

In a conventional telecommunication service installation in aconventional box, the technician must possess requisite knowledge ofmultiple systems each requiring a different skill or proficiency level.For example, an installation procedure may require the combinedproficiency in each of fiber optic, coaxial and data communicationssystems. To address these requirements, a service provider may trytraining all technicians to the highest possible skill level (ensuringeach technician an installation can be performed by a singletechnician). Alternatively, the service provider may try and managetechnicians such that the “right” technician for the task at hand isdelegated for the task. While this practice may result in greaterefficiency, it may also adversely impact performance (e.g., if theinstallation is performed incorrectly). With respect to the latter, atechnician installing coaxial cable may be unfamiliar with theintricacies of fiber optic cable (e.g., such as a need to maintain aminimum permissible bend radius to maintain signal integrity). Infiber-optic cables, the minimum permissible bend radius is veryimportant. That is, inadvertently bending a fiber-optic cable beyond itspermissible bend radius can result in a loss of signal performance.

Further, conventional secure enclosures do not: (i) adequately segregateportions of the enclosure which effect fiber optic and coaxial cableconnections (ii) maintain proper fiber management, and (iii) providelaser safety. As a consequence, service providers place the equipment inseparate/distinct/secure entry enclosures which are both technicallyinadequate and aesthetically unpleasing/unappealing.

Therefore, there is a need to overcome, or otherwise lessen the effectsof, the disadvantages and shortcomings described above. For example,utilizing a telecommunication box according to the disclosure has, as anexample, the advantage of allowing for error free installation ofcomponents related to a second telecommunication system (e.g., RFequipment, coaxial splitters) in an enclosable box that provides ahidden, nested compartment for equipment related to a firsttelecommunication system (e.g., fiber components), thus protecting thefirst telecommunication from harm, even if inadvertent (e.g., by anindividual (service provider technician) who does not possess fiberoptics handling training), while maintaining a relatively small overallfootprint.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to the above-mentioned telecommunicationtechnologies; particularly, enclosable house boxes and methods forinstalling telecommunication components. Installation oftelecommunication components includes installation, removal, andmodification of telecommunication components. In particular, thedisclosure provides a universal multi-purpose enclosure or enclosablehouse box for one or more types of telecommunication system components,for example, a multi-purpose box that provides both RF network and fiberoptic telecommunication systems. The multi-purpose house box may beconfigured to have an internal cavity that is large enough to allow theservice provider flexibility in choosing and exchanging variouscomponents of various telecommunication systems of a variety of sizes(e.g., different telecommunication systems types, styles, andmanufacturers). The present disclosure shows an embodiment including aneasily accessible RF equipment (coaxial cable) telecommunication system,and a less accessible fiber telecommunication system component(s). Itshould be appreciated that it may be desirable to configure the box tohouse different types/sizes of telecommunication equipment.

In this embodiment, the universal house box may be configured to ensuresafe and effective fiber handling (first telecommunication system),while allowing easy access for RF network changes and modifications(second telecommunication system). To do such, the enclosable box mayprovide an internal compartment panel that may enclose, protect, andlimit access to a first type of telecommunication system, such as, fibercomponents thereby minimizing inadvertent human error directedat/received by the second type of telecommunications system. Inaddition, the compartment panel and universal house box may beconfigured such that a second type of telecommunication system (e.g.,non-fiber components such as RF components) may be provided in the spaceremaining within the box outside of the compartment createdby/underneath the panel. Further, an upper surface of the panel may beconfigured to be mountable/attachable with a second communication systemtype component (e.g., a splitter or amplifier for an RF communicationsystem). With the universal, multi-purpose house box, atelecommunications service provider may use only one box (instead of twoboxes) to house both a first telecommunications system (e.g., an RFcommunication system) and a second type of telecommunications service(e.g., a fiber optic communication system.

Telecommunications boxes according to the disclosure may also allow theservice provider to be more efficient with human resources by protecting(via access prevention the first (fiber) communication system fromuntrained/under-trained installation technicians whose job function/taskmay be related to the second communication system only. Thus, theservice provider may have greater labor efficiency, for example, byallowing untrained technicians to work on segregated fiber boxes.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide acompartmentalized telecommunication box for housing components fortelecommunications systems. The box includes a first housing portionhaving a back wall and a side wall extending from the back wall, asecond housing portion coupled to the first housing portion, the firsthousing portion and the second housing portion cooperating to define anenclosure having a cavity, and a compartment panel disposed in thecavity and being coupled to the first housing portion, the compartmentpanel being movable relative to the first housing portion between aclosed position and an open position. The second housing portion ismovable relative to the first housing portion between an openconfiguration providing access to the cavity and a closed configuration.The first housing portion and the second housing portion are in the openconfiguration and the component panel is in the closed position, thecomponent panel divides the cavity into a first compartment configuredto house a first telecommunication system component therein and a secondcompartment configured to house a second telecommunication systemcomponent therein, the first compartment being open such that the firsttelecommunication system component is accessible to the user, and thesecond compartment being closed to block access to a secondtelecommunication system component. The first telecommunicationcomponent is mounted to and movable with the panel, and the side wall ofthe first housing portion has at least one aperture configured toaccommodate passage of a first cable, which is connected to the firsttelecommunications system component, from the first compartment to anexterior of the telecommunication box. The panel has an opening at afirst end thereof, the first end of the panel being adjacent to the sidewall of the first housing portion, the opening being configured toaccommodate passage of a second cable, which is connected to the firsttelecommunication system component and the second telecommunicationsystem component, from the first compartment to the second compartment.When the first housing portion and the second housing portion are in theopen configuration and the component panel is in the open position, thesecond compartment and the second telecommunication system component areaccessible to the user. The component panel is configured to be movedbetween the closed position and the open position while the first cableand the second cable remain connected to the first telecommunicationsystem component and while the second cable remains connected to thesecond telecommunication system component.

The second telecommunication system component may be different than thefirst telecommunication system component. The second telecommunicationsystem component may be a fiber optic system component. The firsttelecommunication system component may be an RF system component. Thefirst housing portion and the second housing portion may both beconstructed of weatherproof, durable material, the material being one ofplastic and metal. The first housing portion or the second housingportion is configured to be attached or mounted to a utility pole and/ora residential or commercial building.

The disclosure also shows a compartmentalized box for housing componentsfor telecommunications systems, comprising: a first housing portion; asecond housing portion pivotally coupled to the first housing portion,the first housing portion and the second housing portion cooperating todefine an enclosure having a cavity, the second housing portion beingpivotally movable relative to the first housing portion between an openconfiguration providing access to the cavity and a closed configuration;a first telecommunications system component mounted to the first housingportion; a compartment panel disposed in the cavity and being pivotallycoupled to the first housing portion, the compartment panel beingpivotally movable relative to the first housing portion between a closedposition and an open position; and a second telecommunications systemcomponent mounted to the compartment panel, the secondtelecommunications system component being accessible to a user when thefirst housing portion and the second housing portion are in the openconfiguration and the compartment panel is in the closed position,wherein when the first housing portion and the second housing portionare in the open configuration and the component panel is in the closedposition, the component panel divides the cavity into a firstcompartment and a second compartment, the first compartment and thesecond telecommunications system component being accessible to the userand the second compartment being closed to block access to the firsttelecommunications system component, and when the first housing portionand the second housing portion are in the open configuration and thecomponent panel is in the open position, the second compartment and thefirst telecommunications system component are accessible to the user.

The disclosure also provides an enclosable box for housing componentsfrom more than one telecommunication systems, comprising: a firsthousing portion, a second housing portion, a box mounting hinge thatconnects the first housing portion and the second housing portion, aninternal telecommunication component compartment panel, a compartmentpanel mounting hinge that connects the internal telecommunicationcomponent compartment with one of the first and second housing portions,wherein the box mounting hinge is configured to allow the first housingportion and second housing portion to open and close in a clam likemanner, the compartment panel mounting hinge is configured to allow thecompartment panel to open and close an internal compartment or cavitythat is large enough to enclose at least a first telecommunicationssystems component.

The upper surface of the compartment panel may be configured to bemounted by a second telecommunication component within the housing. Thesecond telecommunication system may be different than the firsttelecommunication system. The first telecommunication system componentmay be a fiber optics telecommunication system component. The secondtelecommunication system component may be an RF component or coaxialcable component. The outer portion of either the first or second housingportions may be configured to be attached or mounted to a utility poleand/or a residential or commercial building. The enclosable box mayfurther include a second box mounting hinge, and an entry hole is formedin the box between the box mounting hinges that provides enoughclearance for cables/cords to be provided to the internal compartment ofthe box and/or the remaining cavity outside of the internal compartmentwithin the box. The internal compartment panel, when closed, may beconfigured to provide a secure enclosure to one or more firsttelecommunication system components within a cavity enclosed by theinternal compartment panel, the enclosable box is configured to, whenthe box and panel are both closed, provide a secure enclosure forhousing one or more second telecommunication system components in theremaining cavity space of the box outside of the internal compartmentcavity.

In the one or more embodiments, the disclosure also provides acompartmentalized enclosure for controlling access to differentcomponents in a telecommunications system comprising: a lower housingmember shaped to define an outer perimeter portion and a cavity; a panelmember configured to move between a closed panel position, where thepanel member prevents access to equipment within the cavity, and an openpanel position, where the panel member permits access to the cavity;wherein the panel member is disposed in the cavity of the lower housingmember, and is shaped to define a inner perimeter portion that isconfigured to match and fit within the outer perimeter portion of thelower housing member so as to form a substantially perimeter matchingportion that prevents access to equipment within the cavity between theinner perimeter portion and the outer perimeter portion when the panelmember is in the closed position. The compartmentalized enclosure mayfurther comprise an upper housing member configured to move between aclosed housing position, where the upper housing member prevents accessto equipment within the cavity, and an open housing position, where theupper housing member permits access to the cavity.

The compartmentalized enclosure may further comprise wherein the outerperimeter portion has an outer rectangular shape, and the innerperimeter portion has an inner rectangular shape that matches and fitswithin the outer rectangular shape so as to form a rectangular perimetermatching (or substantially perimeter matching) portion so as to preventaccess to equipment within the cavity between the inner perimeterportion and the outer perimeter portion when the panel member is in theclosed position. The compartmentalized enclosure may further comprisewherein the segregation panel includes an upper panel portion configuredto prevent access to an upper portion of the fiber optical converterwhen the segregation panel is in the closed position, a sidewall panelportion configured to prevent access to a side portion of the fiberoptical converter when the segregation panel is in the closed position,and an extension panel portion configured to prevent access to the fiberoptical cable portion when the segregation panel is in the closedposition.

The one or more embodiments of the disclosure also include an enclosurefor controlling access to a fiber optical cable portion, a fiber opticalconverter, a coaxial input cable, a cable splitter, and a plurality ofoutput cable portions comprising: a base housing portion having a lowerwall portion configured to partially house a first lower portion of afiber optical cable portion and a second lower portion of a fiberoptical converter, a first sidewall portion, a second sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, a third sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portionadjacent to the second and third sidewall portions; a segregation panelconfigured to move between a closed position, where the segregationpanel prevents access to the fiber optical converter and prevents accessto the fiber optical cable portion, and an open position, where thesegregation panel is configured to allow access to the first upperportion of the fiber optical cable portion and allow access to thesecond upper portion of the fiber optical converter; wherein thesegregation panel includes an upper panel portion configured to preventaccess to an upper portion of the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is in the closed position, a sidewall panel portionconfigured to prevent access to a side portion of the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is in the closed position, and anextension panel portion configured to prevent access to the fiberoptical cable portion when the segregation panel is in the closedposition; wherein the upper panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a first edge portion configured to fit within the firstsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the first edgeportion and the first sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position; wherein the upper panel portion of the segregationpanel includes a second edge portion configured to fit within the secondsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the second edgeportion and the second sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position; wherein the upper panel portion of the segregationpanel includes a third edge portion configured to fit within the thirdsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the third edgeportion and the third sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position; wherein the sidewall panel portion of thesegregation panel includes a lower edge portion configured to fit withinthe lower wall portion of the base housing portion so as to preventaccess to the side portion of the fiber optical converter between thelower edge portion and the lower wall portion of the base housing whenthe segregation panel is in the closed position; wherein the extensionpanel portion of the segregation panel includes a first edge panelextension portion that is configured to fit within the fourth sidewallportion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access to the fiberoptical cable portion between the first edge panel extension and thefourth sidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closedposition; and wherein the extension panel portion of the segregationpanel includes a second edge panel extension portion that is configuredto fit within the third sidewall portion of the base housing portion soas to prevent access to the fiber optical cable portion between thesecond edge panel extension and the third sidewall portion when thesegregation panel is in the closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the fiber optical cableportion, the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, and the plurality of output cable portions are configured tobe connected to one another when the segregation panel is in the closedposition. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the segregationpanel is configured to allow access to the fiber optical cable portionand the fiber optical converter when the segregation panel is moved tothe open position without having to disconnect the fiber optical cableportion, the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, or the plurality of output cable portions.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the segregation panel isconfigured to allow access to the fiber optical cable portion and thefiber optical converter when the segregation panel is moved to the openposition without having to disconnect any one of the fiber optical cableportion, the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, or the plurality of output cable portions. The enclosure mayfurther comprise wherein the segregation panel includes an upper surfaceconfigured to be mounted to the cable splitter.

The enclosure may further comprise a base panel configured to encircle aplurality of fiber optical cable portions around the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the base panel isconfigured to create a peripheral channel around the fiber opticalconverter so as to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius of theplurality of fiber optical cable portions when the segregation panel isin the open and closed positions. The enclosure may further comprise abase panel configured to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius of aplurality of fiber optical cable portions arranged around the fiberoptical converter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the base panel isconfigured to be coupled to the segregation panel.

The one or more embodiments may also include an enclosure forcontrolling access to a fiber optical cable portion, a fiber opticalconverter, a coaxial input cable, a cable splitter, and a plurality ofoutput cable portions comprising: a base housing portion having a lowerwall portion configured to partially house a first lower portion of afiber optical cable portion and a second lower portion of a fiberoptical converter, a first sidewall portion, a second sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, a third sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portionadjacent to the second and third sidewall portions; a segregation panelconfigured to move between a closed position, where the segregationpanel prevents access to the fiber optical converter and prevents accessto the fiber optical cable portion, and an open position, where thesegregation panel is configured to allow access to the first upperportion of the fiber optical cable portion and allow access to thesecond upper portion of the fiber optical converter; wherein thesegregation panel includes an upper panel portion configured to preventaccess to an upper portion of the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is the closed position, a sidewall panel portionextending from the upper panel portion and configured to prevent accessto a side portion of the fiber optical converter when the segregationpanel is the closed position, and an extension panel portion extendingfrom the upper panel portion and configured to prevent access to thefiber optical cable portion when the segregation panel is the closedposition; and wherein the upper panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a first edge portion configured to fit within the firstsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the first edgeportion and the first sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the upper panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a second edge portion configured to fitwithin the second sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the upper portion of the fiber optical converterbetween the second edge portion and the second sidewall portion when thesegregation panel is in the closed position. The enclosure may furthercomprise wherein the upper panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a third edge portion configured to fit within the thirdsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the third edgeportion and the third sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the sidewall panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a lower edge portion configured to fitwithin the lower wall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the side portion of the fiber optical converterbetween the lower edge portion and the lower wall portion of the basehousing when the segregation panel is in the closed position. Theenclosure may further comprise wherein the extension panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a first edge panel extension portion thatis configured to fit within the fourth sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the first edge panel extension and the fourth sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the extension panel portionof the segregation panel includes a second edge panel extension portionthat is configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the second edge panel extension and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position. Theenclosure may further comprise wherein the fiber optical cable portion,the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, and the plurality of output cable portions are configured tobe connected to one another when the segregation panel is in the closedposition.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the segregation panel isconfigured to allow access to the fiber optical cable portion and thefiber optical converter when the segregation panel is moved to the openposition without having to disconnect the fiber optical cable portion,the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, or the plurality of output cable portions. The enclosure mayfurther comprise wherein the segregation panel is configured to allowaccess to the fiber optical cable portion and the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is moved to the open positionwithout having to disconnect any one of the fiber optical cable portion,the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, or the plurality of output cable portions.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the segregation panelincludes an upper surface configured to be mounted to the cablesplitter. The enclosure may further comprise a base panel configured toencircle a plurality of fiber optical cable portions around the fiberoptical converter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the base panel isconfigured to create a peripheral channel around the fiber opticalconverter so as to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius of theplurality of fiber optical cable portions when the segregation panel isin the open and closed positions.

The enclosure may further comprise a base panel configured to maintain aminimum permissible bend radius of a plurality of fiber optical cableportions arranged around the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is in the open and closed positions. The enclosure mayfurther comprise wherein the base panel is configured to be coupled tothe segregation panel.

The one or more embodiments of the disclosure may also provide anenclosure for controlling access to a fiber optical component nestedbelow a coaxial cable component comprising: a base housing portionconfigured to at least partially house a fiber optical component, thebase housing portion having a base wall portion, a first side wallportion, and a second side wall portion; a segregation panel configuredto move between a closed position, where the segregation panel preventsaccess to the fiber optical component and where the fiber opticalcomponent is nested below a coaxial cable component, and an openposition, where the segregation panel is configured to allow access tothe fiber optical component; wherein the segregation panel includes anupper panel edge portion configured to prevent access to the fiberoptical component between the upper panel edge portion and the firstside wall portion of the base housing portion when the segregation panelis the closed position, and an extension panel edge portion configuredto prevent access to the fiber optical component between the extensionpanel edge portion and the second side wall portion of the base housingportion when the segregation panel is the closed position. The enclosuremay further comprise wherein the upper panel portion of the segregationpanel includes a first edge portion configured to fit within the firstsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical component between the first edgeportion and the first sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position. The enclosure may further comprise wherein theupper panel portion of the segregation panel includes a second edgeportion configured to fit within the second sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of thefiber optical component between the second edge portion and the secondsidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.The enclosure may further comprise wherein the upper panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a third edge portion configured to fitwithin the third sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the upper portion of the fiber optical componentbetween the third edge portion and the third sidewall portion when thesegregation panel is in the closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the sidewall panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a lower edge portion configured to fitwithin the lower wall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the side portion of the fiber optical componentbetween the lower edge portion and the lower wall portion of the basehousing when the segregation panel is in the closed position. Theenclosure may further comprise wherein the extension panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a first edge panel extension portion thatis configured to fit within the fourth sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the first edge panel extension and the fourth sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position. Theenclosure may further comprise wherein the extension panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a second edge panel extension portionthat is configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the second edge panel extension and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the fiber optical componentcomprises a fiber optical converter connected to a fiber optical cableportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position, and thecoaxial cable component comprises a cable splitter connected to acoaxial input cable extending from the fiber optical converter andconnected to a plurality of output cable portions when the segregationpanel is in the closed position, and the segregation panel is configuredto allow access to the fiber optical cable portion and the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is in the open position withouthaving to disconnect the fiber optical cable portion, the fiber opticalconverter, the coaxial input cable, the cable splitter, or the pluralityof output cable portions. The enclosure may further comprise wherein thefiber optical component and the coaxial cable component are connectedtogether when the segregation panel is in the closed position, and thesegregation panel is configured to allow access to the fiber opticalcable portion and the fiber optical converter when the segregation panelis in the open position without having to disconnect the fiber opticalcomponent and the coaxial cable component from one another.

The enclosure may further comprise wherein the coaxial cable componentcomprises a splitter and the segregation panel includes an upper surfaceconfigured to be mounted to the splitter. The enclosure may furthercomprise wherein the coaxial cable component comprises a splitter, thefiber optical component comprises a converter, and the segregation panelincludes an upper surface configured to be mounted to the splitter so asto physically segregate the splitter from the converter, allow access tothe splitter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedposition, permit access to the converter when the segregation panel isin the closed position, allow access to the converter when thesegregation panel is in the open position.

The enclosure may further comprise a base panel configured to encircle aplurality of fiber optical cable portions around the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the base panel isconfigured to create a peripheral channel around the fiber opticalconverter so as to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius of theplurality of fiber optical cable portions when the segregation panel isin the open and closed positions.

The enclosure may further comprise a base panel configured to maintain aminimum permissible bend radius of a plurality of fiber optical cableportions arranged around the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is in the open and closed positions. The enclosure mayfurther comprise wherein the base panel is configured to be coupled tothe segregation panel such that the segregation panel moves relative tothe base panel when the segregation panel moves before the open andclosed positions. The enclosure may further comprise a lower panel edgeportion configured to prevent access to the fiber optical componentbetween the lower panel edge portion and the base wall portion of thebase housing portion when the segregation panel is the closed position.The enclosure may further comprise two mounting hinges provided on asame side of the lower housing member so as to connect the lower housingmember with the panel member, wherein an entry hole is formed in betweenthe two mounting hinges and provides clearance for external cables/cordsto enter into the enclosure and be provided to an internal compartmentand/or a portion of a cavity of the enclosure outside of the internalcompartment. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the panelmember, when closed, is configured to provide a secure enclosure forhousing a first type of telecommunications system component within theinternal compartment, and the enclosure is configured to, when theenclosure and the panel member are both closed, provide a secureenclosure for housing a second type of telecommunications systemcomponent in the portion of the cavity of the enclosure outside of theinternal compartment. The enclosure may further comprise wherein the boxhinge side of the lower housing member includes one or more aperturesthat are configured to feed wires from a second type oftelecommunications system component to an exterior of the enclosure,thereby facilitating the persistent connection of the second type oftelecommunications system component inside the enclosure regardless ofwhether the panel is in an open or closed position. The enclosure mayfurther comprise two mounting hinges provided on a same side of theupper and lower housing members so as to connect the upper and lowerhousing members, wherein an entry hole is formed in the connected upperand lower housing members in between the two mounting hinges andprovides clearance for external cables/cords to enter into the enclosureand be provided to an internal compartment and/or a portion of a cavityof the enclosure outside of the internal compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the followingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary network environment inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary interface port inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary coaxial cable inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary coaxial cable ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary prepared end of theexemplary coaxial cable of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of one embodiment of a coaxial cable jumper orcable assembly which is configured to be operatively coupled to amultichannel data network.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of an exemplarytelecommunication box in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the exemplarytelecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartment panel ina closed position.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the exemplarytelecommunication box with the segregating or hidden compartment panelin an open position.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of theexemplary telecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartmentpanel in an open position and with components not yet installed.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of theexemplary telecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartmentpanel in a closed position and with components not yet installed.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of an exemplarytelecommunication box in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of theexemplary telecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartmentpanel in an open position and with components not yet installed.

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of an exemplarytelecommunication box in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of theexemplary telecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartmentpanel in an open position.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of theexemplary telecommunication box with a segregating or hidden compartmentpanel in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary network environment 6 inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure. In particular, cableconnectors 2 and 3 may enable the exchange of data signals between abroadband network or multichannel data network 5, and various deviceswithin a home, building, venue or other environment 6. For example, theenvironment 6 may include the following devices: (a) a point of entry(“PoE”) filter 8 operatively coupled to an outdoor cable junction device10; (b) one or more signal splitters within a service panel 12 whichdistributes the data service to interface ports 14 of various rooms orparts of the environment 6; (c) a modem 16 which modulates radiofrequency (“RF”) signals to generate digital signals to operate awireless router 18; (d) an Internet accessible device, such as a mobilephone or computer 20, wirelessly coupled to the wireless router 18; and(e) a set-top unit 22 coupled to a television (“TV”) 24. In oneembodiment, the set-top unit 22, typically supplied by the data provider(e.g., the cable TV company), may include a TV tuner and a digitaladapter for High Definition TV.

In some embodiments, the multichannel data network 5 may include atelecommunications, cable/satellite TV (“CATV”) network operable toprocess and distribute different RF signals or channels of signals for avariety of services, including, but not limited to, TV, Internet andvoice communication by phone. For TV service, each unique radiofrequency or channel is associated with a different TV channel. Theset-top unit 22 converts the radio frequencies to a digital format fordelivery to the TV. Through the data network 5, the service provider candistribute a variety of types of data, including, but not limited to, TVprograms including on-demand videos, Internet service including wirelessor WiFi Internet service, voice data distributed through digital phoneservice or Voice Over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) phone service, InternetProtocol TV (“IPTV”) data streams, multimedia content, audio data,music, radio and other types of data/data services.

In some embodiments, the multichannel data network 5 is operativelycoupled to a multimedia home entertainment network serving theenvironment 6. In one example, such multimedia home entertainmentnetwork is the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (“MoCA”) network. The MoCAnetwork increases the freedom of access to the data network 5 at variousrooms and locations within the environment 6. The MoCA network, in oneembodiment, operates on cables 4 within the environment 6 at frequenciesin the range of 1125 MHz to 1675 MHz. MoCA compatible devices can form aprivate network inside the environment 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, coaxial cables 4, 29 may be provided at differentlocations and may be configured to distribute the data to theenvironment 6 via connectors 2 attached to the coaxial cables 4. Thecables 4, through use of the connectors 2, are connectable to variouscommunication interfaces within the environment 6, such as the femaleinterface port 14 illustrated in FIG. 2. In the examples shown, femaleinterface ports 14 are incorporated into: (a) a signal splitter withinan outdoor cable service or distribution box 32 which distributes dataservice to multiple homes or environments 6 close to each other; (b) asignal splitter within the outdoor cable junction box or cable junctiondevice 10 which distributes the data service into the environment 6; (c)the set-top unit 22; (d) the TV 24; (e) wall-mounted jacks, such as awall plate; and (f) the router 18.

In one embodiment, each of the female interface ports 14 includes a studor jack, such as the cylindrical stud 34 illustrated in FIG. 2. The stud34 may have: (a) an inner, cylindrical wall 36 defining a central holeconfigured to receive an electrical contact, wire, pin, conductor (notshown) positioned within the central hole; (b) a conductive, threadedouter surface 38; (c) a conical conductive region 41 having conductivecontact sections 43 and 45; and (d) a dielectric or insulation material47.

In some embodiments, stud 34 is shaped and sized to be compatible withthe F-type coaxial connection standard. It should be understood that,depending upon the embodiment, stud 34 could have a smooth outersurface. The stud 34 can be operatively coupled to, or incorporatedinto, a device 40 which can include, for example, a cable splitter of adistribution box 32, outdoor cable junction box 10 or service panel 12;a set-top unit 22; a TV 24; a wall plate; a modem 16; a router 18; orthe junction device 33.

During installation, the installer (installing technician) may couple acable 4 to an interface port 14 by screwing or pushing the connector 2onto the female interface port 34. Once installed, the connector 2receives the female interface port 34. The connector 2 establishes anelectrical connection between the cable 4 and the electrical contact ofthe female interface port 34.

The coaxial cable 4 may extend along a cable axis or a longitudinalaxis. In one embodiment, the cable 4 includes: (a) an elongated centerconductor or inner conductor 44; (b) an elongated insulator 46 coaxiallysurrounding the inner conductor 44; (c) an elongated, conductive foillayer 48 coaxially surrounding the insulator 46; (d) an elongated outerconductor 50 coaxially surrounding the foil layer 48; and (e) anelongated sheath, sleeve or jacket 52 coaxially surrounding the outerconductor 50.

The inner conductor 44 is operable to carry data signals to and from thedata network 5. Depending upon the embodiment, the inner conductor 44can be a strand, a solid wire or a hollow, tubular wire. The innerconductor 44 is, in one embodiment, constructed of a conductive materialsuitable for data transmission, such as a metal or alloy includingcopper, including, but not limited, to copper-clad aluminum (“CCA”),copper-clad steel (“CCS”) or silver-coated copper-clad steel (“SCCCS”).

The insulator 46, in some embodiments, is a dielectric having a tubularshape. In one embodiment, the insulator 46 is radially compressiblealong a radius or radial line 54, and the insulator 46 is axiallyflexible along the longitudinal axis 42. Depending upon the embodiment,the insulator 46 can be a suitable polymer, such as polyethylene (“PE”)or a fluoropolymer, in solid or foam form.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 (cross-sectional view),the outer conductor 50 includes a conductive RF shield orelectromagnetic radiation shield. In such embodiment, the outerconductor 50 includes a conductive screen, mesh or braid or otherwisehas a perforated configuration defining a matrix, grid or array ofopenings. In one such embodiment, the braided outer conductor 50 has analuminum material or a suitable combination of aluminum and polyester.Depending upon the embodiment, cable 4 can include multiple, overlappinglayers of braided outer conductors 50, such as a dual-shieldconfiguration, tri-shield configuration or quad-shield configuration.

In one embodiment, the connector 2 electrically grounds the outerconductor 50 of the coaxial cable 4. The conductive foil layer 48, inone embodiment, is an additional, tubular conductor which providesadditional shielding of the magnetic fields. In one embodiment, thejacket 52 has a protective characteristic, guarding the cable's internalcomponents from damage. The jacket 52 also has an electrical insulationcharacteristic.

As shown in FIG. 5, during installation, an installer or preparer mayprepare a terminal end 56 of the cable 4 so that it can be mechanicallyconnected to the connector 2. To do so, the preparer removes or stripsaway differently sized portions of the jacket 52, outer conductor 50,foil 48 and insulator 46 so as to expose the side walls of the jacket52, outer conductor 50, foil layer 48 and insulator 46 in a stepped orstaggered fashion. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the prepared end 56has a two step-shaped configuration. At this point, the cable 4 is readyto be connected to the connector 2. In some embodiments, the preparedend has a three step-shaped configuration (not shown), where theinsulator 46 extends beyond an end of the foil 48 and outer conductor50.

Depending upon the embodiment, the components of the cable 4 can beconstructed of various materials which have some degree of elasticity orflexibility. The elasticity enables the cable 4 to flex or bend inaccordance with broadband communications standards, installation methodsor installation equipment. Also, the radial thicknesses of the cable 4,the inner conductor 44, the insulator 46, the conductive foil layer 48,the outer conductor 50 and the jacket 52 can vary based upon parameterscorresponding to broadband communication standards or installationequipment.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, a cable jumper or cableassembly 64 includes a combination of the connector 2 and the cable 4attached to the connector 2. In this embodiment, the connector 2includes a connector body or connector housing 66 and a fastener orcoupler 68, such as a threaded nut, which is rotatably coupled to theconnector housing 66. The cable assembly 64 has, in one embodiment,connectors 2 on both of its ends 70. In some embodiments, the cableassembly 64 may have a connector 2 on one end and either no connector ora different connector at the other end. Preassembled cable jumpers orcable assemblies 64 can facilitate the installation of cables 4 forvarious purposes.

The cable 4 may be a weatherized coaxial cable 29 that has the samestructure, configuration and components as coaxial cable 4 except thatthe weatherized coaxial cable includes additional weather protective anddurability enhancement characteristics. These characteristics enable theweatherized coaxial cable to withstand greater forces and degradationfactors caused by outdoor exposure to weather.

During installation the installation technician may perform a foldingprocess to prepare the cable 4 for connection to connector 2. Thepreparer may fold the braided outer conductor 50 folded backward ontothe jacket 52. As a result, the folded section 60 may be oriented insideout. The bend or fold 62 may be adjacent to the foil layer 48 as shown.Certain embodiments of the connector 2 include a tubular post. In suchembodiments, this folding process can facilitate the insertion of suchpost in between the braided outer conductor 50 and the foil layer 4

Depending upon the embodiment, the components of the cable 4 can beconstructed of various materials which have some degree of elasticity orflexibility, which enables the cable 4 to flex or bend in accordancewith broadband communications standards, installation methods orinstallation equipment. Further, the radial thicknesses of the cable 4,the inner conductor 44, the insulator 46, the conductive foil layer 48,the outer conductor 50 and the jacket 52 can vary based upon parameterscorresponding to broadband communication standards or installationequipment.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate a first embodiment of a universal multi-purposecompartmentalized telecommunication box 100 (or “entry box,” “housebox,” or “fiber box”) in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure. In particular, FIGS. 7-11 show the parts of an embodiment ofthe telecommunication box 100 that may be configured to house multipletypes of telecommunication system components, for example, fiber opticsystem components and RF system components. The telecommunications box100 may comprise a housing including a first housing portion 102 and asecond housing portion 104, that are permanently (or semi-permanently)pivotally joined together at corresponding first edges 102A, 104Aallowing the box to pivotally open and close. For example, the first andsecond housing portions 102, 104 may be joined together by a boxmounting hinge 100A that is configured to allow the first and secondhousing portions to pivotally open, such as, by a force that causesopposite corresponding second edges 102B, 104B of the first and secondhousing portions 102, 104 to move in opposite directions. The firstand/or second housing portions 102, 104 may form an internal box cavity106. As shown in the embodiments disclosed herein, a larger portion ofthe cavity 106 may be located in first housing portion 102 than in thesecond housing portion 104. It should be appreciated that the cavity 106may be split between the first and second housing portions 102, 104and/or modified as desired. When the telecommunication box 100 isclosed, the box 100 forms an enclosure that can provide protection fromweather, fire, and/or theft of two or more telecommunicationsinstallation systems (and their respective installation components).

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the hinge axis 100A is vertical when thetelecommunication box 100 is mounted to a vertical support structure VSSdisposed in the direction of the arrow labeled “UP.” The secureenclosure 100 may be detachably joined along the opposite edge or sideby locking tabs to facilitate opening/closing of secure enclosure 100.For example, the locking tabs 110 (FIG. 8) may include a molded U-shapedopening 112 a, 112 b in one of the first and second housing portions102, 104 and corresponding resilient clasps 114 a, 114 b integrallyformed in the other of the first and second housing portions 102, 104.The locking tabs 110 may be augmented by fittings 116 a, 116 b havingaligned apertures 118 a, 118 b for accepting a lock and key to securethe telecommunication box 100 in a closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the cavity 106 of the first and second housingportions 102, 104 may be configured to contain or house first and secondtelecommunication systems 300, 320 each including at least onetelecommunication system component. In the described embodiment, thefirst telecommunication system is a fiber optic system 300 and includesa fiber optic converter 302 operative to convert an optic signalreceived along a fiber optic cable 324 into a digital signal to betransmitted along a coaxial cable 304 to the second telecommunicationsystem 320. The second telecommunication system 320 is a coaxial cablesystem and includes a cable splitter 322 operative to split a signalentering via the input cable 304 into multiple signals exiting the box100 along output cables 306, 308, 310. Each of the telecommunicationsystems 300, 320 relies on inherently different underlying technologyfor its operation. Fiber optic cables rely on optics or light for datatransmission while coaxial cable relies on the precise spacing betweeninner and outer conductors to efficiently transmit signals in the radiofrequency band or spectrum.

The first housing portion 102 of the box 100 has a first (bottom) wall120 having an opening 124 for receiving the fiber optic cable 324 thatdirects an optic signal to the fiber optic telecommunication systemcomponent 300. The first wall 120 also includes apertures 122 throughwhich a fiber optic or coaxial cable may be fed. The apertures 122 maybe elongated in the plane of the first wall 120 so that differentdiameter cables or a plurality of cables can be accommodated by theapertures 122. The apertures 122 may employ a simple gasket (not shown)through which a fiber optic or coaxial cable is fed, or a bulkheadconnection (also not shown). In the described embodiment, the apertures122 are disposed in the bottom wall 120 such that the cables 306, 308,310 and 324 enter/exit vertically through the apertures 122.Furthermore, the downward orientation minimizes the number and severityof cable bends, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 7, the telecommunication box 100 includes a base plate130 and a pivoting panel or deck 140. The base plate 130 is configuredto be fixedly coupled with a back wall 132 of the box 100. For example,the back wall 132 may include projections 133 that can be snap fit intocorresponding recesses (not shown) in a back surface of the base plate130, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. The panel ordeck 140 also may snap into the base plate 130 along the horizontalpivot axis 140A, thereby base plate 130 defines this independentstructure having one surface for mounting the optical component (ONU)regardless of what kind of box having going on around them.

In this embodiment, the bottom base plate 130 could have an ONU attachedto it. The curved corner prevents the fiber from bending by looping theedge so fiber around and around there. In other words, the base plate130 could be snapable or attachable to the bottom of the box, and allowthe panel 140 to pivot by the pivot joints (cam receiving portions 101A)so as to open and close to permit access to the equipment (the ONU).

Alternatively or additionally, the base plate 130 can be coupled withthe back wall 132 of the box 100 by screws, bolts, or the like. Further,when the telecommunication box 100 is attached to the vertical supportstructure VSS, fasteners (not shown) that attach the box 100 to the VSSmay extend through the base plate 130 and the back wall 132 of the box,thereby further securing the base plate 130 to the back wall 132.

However, the house box is not limited to separate parts. In anotherembodiment, the features of the base plate (e.g., the mounting platforms136, etc.) could instead be made out of an existing structure (e.g.,machined into the back of the box so that no base plate is necessary,but the features of the base plate are still provided). For example,FIG. 12 (discussed more below) shows a “no base plate” example where thebase plate components discussed below are all hinged directly to thebox. However, having too many features machined into the back could betoo complicated.

The base plate 130 includes a first portion 134 configured to mount thefiber optic converter 302. For example, the first portion 134 includes aplurality of raised mounting platforms 136 that are structured andarranged to universally accommodate most commercially available fiberoptic converters 302. For example, fiber optic converters 302conventionally include mounting tabs 303 arranged at opposite sides,diagonal corner, four corners, etc. Each of the raised mountingplatforms 136 has a plurality of preformed holes 138 configured toreceive screws (not shown) conventionally used to mount a fiber opticconverter 302 to a mounting box. The number and spacing of the holes 138provides a universal mounting system for most conventional fiber opticconverters.

When the fiber optic converter 302 is mounted to the base plate 130, theraised mounting platforms 136 maintain the fiber optic converter 302spaced from a surface of the base plate 130, which assists with passivecooling of the converter 302. Further, the platforms 136 are spaced fromone another to provide adequate space to accommodate a fiber opticsplice (not shown), as well as an amount of slack of bare optic fiber.The base plate 130 may include a pair of parallel raised projections 137that each include a slot configured to receive a conventional fiberoptic splice member (not shown). As can be seen, in FIG. 8, the housebox of FIG. 7 is in a closed state/position, which is a state in which acomponent for a second telecommunications system may be installed whileaccess is prevented/restricted to the component of the firsttelecommunication system 302 (hidden in FIG. 8). The access preventiondoes not have to be full perimeter matching lids (i.e., airtightperimeter matching). Instead, the lid panel may fit to the extent thatit prevents access to the lower portion of the box. The perimetermatching (or substantially perimeter matching) aspects of the lid panelin FIG. 8, when in the closed state, prevent access to the equipment(ONU) within the cavity. However, there may be some non-perimetermatching portions where the same effect is provided. For example, it maynot be air tight, and the configuration may be only substantiallyperimeter matching so as to prevent from meaningfully interfering withthe equipment underneath. For example, substantially perimeter matchingcould mean prevent within reason in that a screwdriver could be jammedin there, but the access is prevented such that you aren't going to beable to unscrew the connectors.

The base plate 130 includes a plurality of wrap guides 150, 152, 154,156 that extend in a direction from the back wall 132 of the box 100toward the second housing portion 104 and cooperate with an innerperipheral surface 102P of the first housing portion 102 to delimit aperipheral channel 146 (FIG. 9). The channel 146 is substantiallyrectangular in shape and produces a bend radius which is greater thanthe minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable 324. In the describedembodiment, therefore, the width of the channel 146 is the differencebetween radii R2 and R1 (depicted in FIG. 9). The radial distance R2 isthe distance from a reference point P to the outer surface of one of thewrap guides 150, 152, 154, 156 while the radial distance R1 is thedistance from the reference point P to the inner surface of therespective one of the wrap guides 150, 152, 154, 156.

The geometry of the wrap guides 150, 152, 154, 156 causes the fiberoptic cable 324 to follow an arcuate path which is greater than or equalto the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable 324. The bend radiusof the channel 146 in the area of the wrap guides 350, 352, 354, 356 isgenerally greater than the minimum permissible bend radius of the cable324 to prevent signal losses. For example, as the bend radius of anoptic fiber or filament decreases, the incident light energy is notfully reflected internally of the optic filament. Accordingly, lightenergy is refracted out of the filament causing a portion of the lightenergy to be absorbed or lost.

The base plate 130 includes a second portion 144 that extends from thefirst portion 134 toward the first (bottom) wall 120 of the box 100. Thesecond portion 144 includes a pair of columns 148 (pillar posts) thatextend in a direction from the back wall 132 of the first housingportion 102 toward the second housing portion 104. The pillarposts/columns 148 provide the receivers 101A that extend upward. In theconfiguration of FIG. 7, as an example, the pillar posts/columns 148 aresubstantially perpendicular relative to the base plate 140.

A wall 160 extends between the columns 148 parallel to and spaced fromthe first wall 120 of the box 100. The wall 160 includes elongatedapertures 162 substantially aligned with the apertures 122 of the firstwall 120 of the box 100. A rubber or foam insert 163 may be sandwichedbetween the wall 160 of the base plate 130 and the first wall 120 of thebox 100. The insert 163 includes elongated slits substantially alignedwith the apertures 122, 162 to receive telecommunication cables whilepreventing the infiltration of debris (e.g., leaves, soil, pollen) intothe cavity 106 of the box.

The pivoting panel or deck 140 pivotally mounts to the base plate 130 ofthe housing 100 and segregates the first and second telecommunicationsystems, i.e., the fiber optic telecommunication system 300 and thecoaxial cable telecommunication system 320. More specifically, the panel140 segregates the system components 302, 322 and the coaxial cables304, 306, 308, 310 from the fiber optic cable 324.

The segregation panel 140 pivots about a horizontal pivot axis 140A tofacilitate maintenance on either side of the panel 140. Furthermore, thepivot axis 140A is offset from the face surface 142 of the panel 140 toallow the input coaxial cable 304 to bend freely from one side 142 tothe other side 144 of the segregating panel 140. Further, the offsetarrangement allows the signal splitting coaxial cables 306, 308, 310 toremain connected to the system component 322 and exit through theapertures 122, 162 when the segregating panel 140 pivots from a closedto an open position. Furthermore, the wrap guides 150, 152, 154, 156control the bend radius of slack cables stored in the entry enclosure100 to prevent damage to, or degradation to the telecommunication systemcable 324. The telecommunication box 100 provides a standardizedapproach to combining the telecommunication system components 302, 322in a single enclosure, while maintaining a safe and effective approachto handling, maintaining and modifying the system components 302, 322.

In the described embodiment, the panel 140 pivots along a horizontalpivot or hinge axis 140A, which is not coplanar with the panel 140. Thatis, the horizontal pivot axis 140A is offset from a face surface 142 ofthe panel 140. Finally, the panel 140 is configured to mount at leastone of the telecommunication system components, e.g., a converter 302and/or a splitter 322, along one side of the panel 140. In the describedembodiment, the cable splitter 322 is mounted to the face surface 142 ofthe panel 340. While, in the illustrated embodiment, the converter 302is mounted to the back wall 132 of the first housing portion 102, itshould be appreciated that in some embodiments the converter 302 may bemounted to a backside, surface 144 of the panel 120.

For example, the pivoting panel 140 may include two protruding camportions 101 that may be attached to cam receiving portions 101A of thebase plate 130 such that the pivoting panel 140 may be pivotallyrepositioned to open and close the compartment cavity 126 underneath thepanel 140. The pivoting panel 140 may a vertically extending wall thatprovides the pivoting panel 140 with a height such that the pivotingpanel 140, when closed (closed meaning that the panel is substantiallyparallel to the back wall 132 of the first housing portion 102),provides a cavity/compartment 126 large enough to enclose the fiberoptic component 302.

The pivoting panel 140 may include raised partial ledges 103 configuredwith the cam portions 101. The ledges 103 may also be provided such thatthey are on opposite sides of an opening 105 that allows forcables/cords to enter the cavity 126 on either side of the pivotingpanel 140. For example, the pivoting panel 140 splits the cavity 126into two component compartments 126A and 126B. In FIG. 8, for example,the compartment 126B is hidden (but contains the converter 302), whilethe upper compartment 126A, which holds the component 322 is accessible.In this configuration, when closed (and/or locked), the secondtelecommunication system (coaxial system) is accessible, while the firsttelecommunication system (the fiber system) is hidden and/or protectedfrom disturbance. In some embodiments, instead of the upper compartment126A having the coaxial, could have an Ethernet router or switch, oroptical Ethernet instead of optical RF.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a second embodiment of a universalmulti-purpose compartmentalized telecommunication box 200 (or “entrybox,” “house box,” or “fiber box”) in accordance with various aspects ofthe disclosure. The second embodiment of the telecommunication box 200is similar to the previously described box 100, but does not include thebase plate 130 attached to the back wall 132 of the first housingportion 102.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the telecommunication box 200 is configuredsuch that the converter 302 is mounted to the back wall 232 of the firsthousing portion 202. The pivoting panel 340 encloses a peripheralchannel 346 formed between an inner peripheral surface 202P of the firsthousing portion 202 and a plurality of wrap guides 350, 352, 354, 356extending from the back wall 232 of the first housing portion 202. Thechannel 346 is substantially rectangular in shape, conforming to theshape of: (i) the rectangular converter 302, (ii) the three peripheralsides 202P of the first housing portion 202 (projecting from the planeof the drawing sheet), and (iii) the backside wall surface 344 of thepivoting panel 340. The channel 346 produces a bend radius which isgreater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable 324. Itshould be appreciated that the converter 302 may also be mounted to theunder, or backside, surface 344 of the pivoting panel 340.

In this or any of the described embodiments, the first (or bottom) wall220 of the first housing portion 202 may include a removable cable guidepanel 220 a, 220 b. The cable guide panels 220 a, 220 b which areremovable relative to the base 204 of the housing 200 to facilitate avariety of aperture configurations.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a third embodiment of a universal multi-purposecompartmentalized telecommunications box 500 (or “entry box,” “housebox,” or “fiber box”) in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure. In particular, FIG. 14 shows the parts of an embodiment ofthe telecommunications box 500 that may be configured to house multipletypes of telecommunication system components, for example, fiber opticsystem components and RF system components. The telecommunications box500 may comprise a housing including a first housing portion 502 and asecond housing portion 504, that are permanently (or semi-permanently)pivotally joined together at corresponding first edges 502A, 504Aallowing the box to pivotally open and close. For example, the first andsecond housing portions 502, 504 may be joined together by a boxmounting hinge 500A that is configured to allow the first and secondhousing portions to pivotally open, such as, by a force that causesopposite corresponding second edges 502B, 504B of the first and secondhousing portions 502, 504 to move in opposite directions. The firstand/or second housing portions 502, 504 may form an internal box cavity506. As shown in the embodiments disclosed herein, a larger portion ofthe cavity 506 is located in first housing portion 502 than in thesecond housing portion. It should be appreciated that the cavity 506 maybe split between the housing portions 502, 504 and/or modified asdesired). When the telecommunication box 500 is closed, the box 500forms an enclosure that can provide protection from weather, fire,and/or theft of two or more telecommunications installation systems (andtheir respective installation components).

As shown in FIG. 14, the cavity 506 of the first and second housingportions 502, 504 may be configured to house/enclose components (fiberoptic converter 302 and a cable splitter 322) of two different types oftelecommunication systems 300, 320. The fiber optic converter 302 andcable splitter 322 may be separated by panel 400. Accordingly, thetelecommunication box 500 may provide both fiber optic and coaxial cablesystems 300, 320 each having at least one different type oftelecommunication system component 302, 322.

The lower housing portion 502 (or upper housing portion 504) may furtherinclude a wall 520 having one or more elongate apertures or slits 522 toreceive telecommunication cables while preventing the infiltration ofdebris (e.g., leaves, soil, pollen) into the cavity 506. The openings orapertures 522 of the housing 500 may employ a simple gasket (not shown)through which a fiber cable 344 may be fed or a bulkhead connection(also not shown) may be employed. A bulkhead connection may employ apre-terminated fiber module installed between an internal wall/bulkheadand the internal fiber-optic component (converter 302). Upper housing504 may be further provided with oval-shaped, diagonal openings forventilation 504C. The secure enclosure or enclosable box 100 may beconfigured to provide a compartment clearance so as to provide universalflexibility when choosing components, irrespective of the serviceprovider. This modular system may be pre-installed and/or pre-fabricated(to be provided to a technician for field installation).

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the housing 500 may include a segregatingcomponent panel 400 that is configured to define a compartment withinthe box cavity that separates the coaxial splitter 322 from the fiberoptics converter 302 (although other components may be substituted asnecessary). The segregation panel 400 may be configured to allow one ofthe component 302, 322 to be mounted to either side of the panel 400(shown in FIGS. 14-16 configured to mount component 322 to the uppersurface of panel 400).

One or more panel mounting hinges 400A may be provided to pivotallyattach the segregation component panel 400 and a component compartmentbase member 440. The panel 400 may be provided with a pivotingmechanism. For example, panel mounting hinges 400 a. The edge of the boxwhere panel mounting hinges 400 a are located may be an edge that isdifferent than the edge 508 a (FIG. 16) where box mounting hinges 500 aare located, but the panel mounting hinges may be provided on any edgeof the housing portion 502. The panel hinge 400 a may be configured toallow the panel 400 to open by pivoting relative to a base member 400(thereby allowing access to components mounted beneath the segregatingcomponent panel 400 or to the underside thereof). As such, the hingedpanel configuration of the telecommunication box 500 provides theservice technician with additional options/choices when choosingtelecommunication equipment/components and the manufacturers of suchequipment/components. Furthermore, the telecommunication box 500provides a standardized approach to combining the telecommunicationsequipment/components 302, 322 while maintaining a safe and effectiveapproach to handling, maintaining and modifying the components 302, 322.

FIG. 14 shows the hidden component compartment upper panel or door 400may be configured to attach to a hidden compartment base or floor 440that are each configured to have side edge surfaces that conform to theshape of an inner surface of the lower housing 502. The componentcompartment base member 440 may have an external lower back(non-mounting) surface that is configured to rest substantially flushwith the inner surface of housing 502. Further, the base member 440 mayhave two sets of vertically protruding portions (four shown in FIG. 14).The vertical protruding portions may (as discussed below) be configuredto provide a boundary ensuring a minimum permissible bend radius offiber-optic cables and/or include pivotally movable mounting portions(e.g., hinges) at the protruding end of the vertically protrudingportions. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, the base member 440 may beconfigured to conform to mimic the shape of lower surface 502. Thehidden compartment upper panel or door 400 may include mini protrudingportions 400 b that are configured to allow for installation of aspecific type of telecommunication component (a coaxial configuration isshown, but other telecommunication configurations may be desirable).

Moreover, hidden compartment upper panel or door 400 may be providedwith an extending side portion 402, which may extend back toward basemember/compartment floor 440 such that the extending portion 402 of theupper panel 400 touches or nearly touches the compartment floor 440. Inthis configuration, the panel 400 may further include a cord extensionportion 402A, which may extend the panel 400 towards the opening 520. Inthis respect, the panel 400, with extending portions 402 and 402A maycompletely (or nearly completely) enclose all components directedtowards the first telecommunication system 300 (e.g., fiber converter302, other fiber components). Thus, the upper panel 400 and lowercompartment floor (base member) 440 provide partitioning or segregationof the first telecommunication system 300. Thus, a telecommunicationservice provider, may be able to install components outside of or on topof (mounted on top of) panel 400 without worrying about component 302being disturbed (i.e., a coaxial cable only installer may installcoaxial cable in a fiber box without being allowed access to the fiberportion of the box). In FIG. 14, the hidden compartment base or floor440 may be configured to be mounted by the component 302, such as,including two sets of three protruding cam portions.

To facilitate retrofitting/modification of existing entry boxes, it maybe desirable to produce a pre-fabricated retrofit kit or assemblycomprising: the base plate 440 (see FIG. 14) inserted within and affixedto the first housing portion 502 and a segregation panel 400hinge-mounted to the base plate/member 440. The axis of the compartmenthinge 400A of the segregation component panel 400 may be orthogonal tothe hinge-axis of the box mounting hinge 500A. In this embodiment, thefiber optic converter 302 may be affixed to the base plate 440 while thecoaxial cable splitter 322 is mounted to the segregating panel 400. Itwill also be appreciated that the fiber-optic converter 302 may beaffixed to the underside of the segregating panel 400.

The features of the third embodiment in FIG. 14 are shown in more detailin FIGS. 15 and 16. In particular, FIGS. 15 and 16 show how the panel400 of the house box 500 may provide an upper (easily accessible)compartment 506A and an internal (hidden) enclosable componentcompartment 506B. FIG. 15 shows the upper component compartment 506Abeing accessible when the panel 400 is in an open configuration (thepanel 400 has an unhinged, un-mounted end opposite the mounted hinge 400a that is raised vertically above the mounted hinge 400A).

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the panel 400 may be configured such thatcomponents of a first telecommunication system 300 (e.g., fiber opticconverter 302) may be disposed within the internal enclosablecompartment 406 and, thus, segregated from a second separate type oftelecommunication system 320 (e.g., coaxial cable components, such as,splitter 322, amplifiers, transformers, power converters, etc.) restingabove the nested compartment 506B and separating component panel 400.The segregation of respective components from differenttelecommunication systems prevents, for example, a service technicianfrom inadvertently interfering with, damaging, or degrading theperformance of the components within the internal enclosed compartment.

In some embodiments, the telecommunication system component (theconverter 302) may be provided along a side of the panel 400.

In FIG. 15, the panel 400 is shown as mounted on compartment base member440 via hidden mounting hinges 400A. The separator panel 400 of FIGS.14-16, segregates the first and second telecommunications systems 300,320 by providing a component compartment (internal nested cavity) 506Bwithin the larger enclosure/box cavity 506. In some embodiments, thecompartment 506B may be a size that is large enough to house a converter302 and a channel 420 (described below). More specifically, the panel400 may provide a component compartment 506B that segregates componentsrelated to the first telecommunication systems 300 (e.g., converter 302and fiber optic input cable 344 which is disposed through the inputaperture 520, and may be forced to travel around converter 302 viachannel 420) from the remaining components (which may be directedtowards another different telecommunications system), such as, splitter322.

The panel 400 (as shown) may be configured to enclose a peripheralchannel 420 formed between an outer periphery 360 of the fiber-opticcomponent 302 and the lower housing portion 502. More specifically, thechannel 420 may be a substantially rectangular shaped channel thatensures a maximum bend radius R (at each of the four corners of therectangular channel 420) which is greater than the minimum bend radius rof a fiber optic cable (e.g., fiber optic cable 344).

To ensure the bend radius is proper, the channel 420 may provide achannel that encircles the component 302. The channel may be configuredto ensure the fiber optic cable 344 is properly shaped by utilizingthree sides of the lower housing 502 in conjunction with the extendingpanel portion 402. In other words, the channel 420 may have a widthdimension (i.e., the dimension between fiber-optic system component 302and the lower housing portion 502, and/or the vertical wall 402 of thepanel 400) which produces a maximum bend radius R (at each of the fourcorners of the rectangular channel 420) which is greater than theminimum permissible bend radius r of the fiber optic cable 344. That is,the geometry of the channel 420 allows the fiber optic cable to followan arcuate path or bend R which exceeds the minimum bend radius r of thefiber optic cable 344. The bend radius R of the channel 420 must begreater than the minimum permissible bend radius r of the fiber opticcable 344 to prevent signal losses as the optical signal negotiates thearcuate path, curve or bend at each corner of the channel 420. As thebend radius R of an optic fiber or filament decreases, the incidentlight energy is not fully reflected internally of the optic filament.That is, the light energy is refracted out of the filament causing aportion of the light energy to be absorbed, or a portion of the signalto be lost. As the level of refraction increases, signal qualitydecreases.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the secureenclosure or enclosable box of FIG. 15 with the segregating or hiddencompartment panel 400 now in a closed state or position. The closedstate/position is a state in which a component 322 for the secondtelecommunication system 322 may be installed while access isprevented/restricted to the component of the first telecommunicationsystem 300 (hidden in FIG. 16). The optic signal carried by the cable344 may be converted to a digital signal by the fiber-optic converter302.

As shown in FIG. 16, fiber optic converter 302 may be configured toconvert an optic signal into a digital signal for transmission. Thedigital signal may be conveyed to the cable splitter 322 from theconverter 302 via a short coaxial input cable 304. The cable splitter322 may split the received signal into multiple transmission signals,which may be subsequently output via coaxial output ports 364 attachedto, for example, coaxial cables coaxial cables 306, 308, 310, 312 thatexit the housing 500 through output apertures 524 (such that they may befed to the connections at the nearby house or residence). The component322 may comprise a coaxial input port 354, which may be configured toreceive a signal from connected cable 304 from the fiber optic outputport 366. Further, the fiber optic input port 356 of the fiber opticscomponent 302 may be configured to receive a fiber optic input signalfrom fiber optic cable 344, which may be wrapped around the outerperiphery 360 of the component 302. The second telecommunication system320 may be a coaxial cable system 320 that includes a cable splitter 322configured to split a signal received via the input cable 304 intomultiple signals exiting via corresponding output cables 306, 308, 310,312. Accordingly, the secure enclosure or box 100 may provide both fiberoptic and coaxial cable systems 300, 320 each having at least onedifferent type of telecommunication system component 302, 322.

As shown in FIG. 16, the housing portions 502, 504 may provide enclosure(box) mounting hinges along one edge 508A and include aligned lockingtabs 510 along the opposite edge 508B (to facilitate opening/closing ofthe secure enclosure 100). The locking tabs 510 may be a molded U-shapedopening 512 on the opposite edge in one of the housing portions 502, 504and a resilient clasp 514 integrally formed in the same opposite edge ofthe other of the housing portions 502, 504. The locking tabs 510 may beaugmented by a lock hole fitting portion 516 having aligned apertures518 configured to allow the opposite end of the housing portions 502,504 to be closed/fastened together, such as, by a padlock. In someembodiments, the panel 400 may be configured in a similar manner, suchthat, the panel may have an opening/clasp mechanism to open thecompartment. In other embodiments, the internal compartment 506B may beaccessible via a back panel 502A. In such an embodiment, the panel maybe permanently affixed so as to not provide easy access, via, forexample, a tab/opening mechanism.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compartmentalized enclosure for controllingaccess to different components in a telecommunications systemcomprising: a lower housing member shaped to define an outer perimeterportion and a cavity; a panel member configured to move between a closedpanel position, where the panel member prevents access to equipmentwithin the cavity, and an open panel position, where the panel memberpermits access to the cavity; wherein the panel member is disposed inthe cavity of the lower housing member, and the panel member has aplurality of edges that are shaped to define a inner perimeter portion,the inner perimeter portion and the plurality of edges being configuredto match and fit within the outer perimeter portion of the lower housingmember so as to form a perimeter matching or substantially perimetermatching portion that prevents access to equipment within the cavitybetween the inner perimeter portion and the outer perimeter portion whenthe panel member is in the closed position.
 2. The compartmentalizedenclosure of claim 1, further comprising: an upper housing memberconfigured to move between a closed housing position, where the upperhousing member prevents access to equipment within the cavity, and anopen housing position, where the upper housing member permits access tothe cavity.
 3. The compartmentalized enclosure of claim 1, wherein theouter perimeter portion has an outer rectangular shape, and the innerperimeter portion has an inner rectangular shape that matches and fitswithin the outer rectangular shape so as to form a rectangularsubstantially perimeter matching portion so as to prevent access toequipment within the cavity between the inner perimeter portion and theouter perimeter portion when the panel member is in the closed position.4. The compartmentalized enclosure of claim 1, wherein the panel memberincludes an upper panel portion configured to prevent access to an upperportion of a fiber optical converter when the panel member is in theclosed position, a sidewall panel portion configured to prevent accessto a side portion of the fiber optical converter when the panel memberis in the closed position, and an extension panel portion configured toprevent access to a fiber optical cable portion when the panel member isin the closed position.
 5. An enclosure for controlling access to afiber optical cable portion, a fiber optical converter, a coaxial inputcable, a cable splitter, and a plurality of output cable portionscomprising: a base housing portion having a lower wall portionconfigured to partially house a first lower portion of a fiber opticalcable portion and a second lower portion of a fiber optical converter, afirst sidewall portion, a second sidewall portion adjacent to the firstsidewall portion, a third sidewall portion adjacent to the firstsidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portion adjacent to the secondand third sidewall portions; a segregation panel configured to movebetween a closed position, where the segregation panel prevents accessto the fiber optical converter and prevents access to the fiber opticalcable portion, and an open position, where the segregation panel isconfigured to allow access to the first upper portion of the fiberoptical cable portion and allow access to the second upper portion ofthe fiber optical converter; wherein the segregation panel includes anupper panel portion configured to prevent access to an upper portion ofthe fiber optical converter when the segregation panel is in the closedposition, a sidewall panel portion configured to prevent access to aside portion of the fiber optical converter when the segregation panelis in the closed position, and an extension panel portion configured toprevent access to the fiber optical cable portion when the segregationpanel is in the closed position; wherein the upper panel portion of thesegregation panel includes a first edge portion configured to fit withinthe first sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to preventaccess to the upper portion of the fiber optical converter between thefirst edge portion and the first sidewall portion when the segregationpanel is in the closed position; wherein the upper panel portion of thesegregation panel includes a second edge portion configured to fitwithin the second sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the upper portion of the fiber optical converterbetween the second edge portion and the second sidewall portion when thesegregation panel is in the closed position; wherein the upper panelportion of the segregation panel includes a third edge portionconfigured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the base housingportion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of the fiberoptical converter between the third edge portion and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position; whereinthe sidewall panel portion of the segregation panel includes a loweredge portion configured to fit within the lower wall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the side portion of the fiberoptical converter between the lower edge portion and the lower wallportion of the base housing when the segregation panel is in the closedposition; wherein the extension panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a first edge panel extension portion that is configured to fitwithin the fourth sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the fiber optical cable portion between the first edgepanel extension and the fourth sidewall portion when the segregationpanel is in the closed position; and wherein the extension panel portionof the segregation panel includes a second edge panel extension portionthat is configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the second edge panel extension and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.
 6. Theenclosure of claim 5, wherein the fiber optical cable portion, the fiberoptical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cable splitter, and theplurality of output cable portions are configured to be connected to oneanother when the segregation panel is in the closed position.
 7. Theenclosure of claim 6, wherein the segregation panel is configured toallow access to the fiber optical cable portion and the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is moved to the open positionwithout having to disconnect the fiber optical cable portion, the fiberoptical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cable splitter, or theplurality of output cable portions.
 8. The enclosure of claim 5, whereinthe segregation panel is configured to allow access to the fiber opticalcable portion and the fiber optical converter when the segregation panelis moved to the open position without having to disconnect any one ofthe fiber optical cable portion, the fiber optical converter, thecoaxial input cable, the cable splitter, or the plurality of outputcable portions.
 9. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the segregationpanel includes an upper surface configured to be mounted to the cablesplitter.
 10. The enclosure of claim 5, further comprising: a base panelconfigured to encircle a plurality of fiber optical cable portionsaround the fiber optical converter when the segregation panel is in theopen and closed positions.
 11. The enclosure of claim 5, furthercomprising a base panel configured to maintain a minimum permissiblebend radius of a plurality of fiber optical cable portions arrangedaround the fiber optical converter when the segregation panel is in theopen and closed positions.
 12. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein thebase panel is configured to be coupled to the segregation panel.
 13. Anenclosure for controlling access to a fiber optical cable portion, afiber optical converter, a coaxial input cable, a cable splitter, and aplurality of output cable portions comprising: a base housing portionhaving a lower wall portion configured to partially house a first lowerportion of a fiber optical cable portion and a second lower portion of afiber optical converter, a first sidewall portion, a second sidewallportion adjacent to the first sidewall portion, a third sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portionadjacent to the second and third sidewall portions; a segregation panelconfigured to move between a closed position, where the segregationpanel prevents access to the fiber optical converter and prevents accessto the fiber optical cable portion, and an open position, where thesegregation panel is configured to allow access to the first upperportion of the fiber optical cable portion and allow access to thesecond upper portion of the fiber optical converter; wherein thesegregation panel includes an upper panel portion configured to preventaccess to an upper portion of the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is the closed position, a sidewall panel portionextending from the upper panel portion and configured to prevent accessto a side portion of the fiber optical converter when the segregationpanel is the closed position, and an extension panel portion extendingfrom the upper panel portion and configured to prevent access to thefiber optical cable portion when the segregation panel is the closedposition; and wherein the upper panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a first edge portion configured to fit within the firstsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical converter between the first edgeportion and the first sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position.
 14. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the upperpanel portion of the segregation panel includes a second edge portionconfigured to fit within the second sidewall portion of the base housingportion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of the fiberoptical converter between the second edge portion and the secondsidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.15. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the upper panel portion of thesegregation panel includes a third edge portion configured to fit withinthe third sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to preventaccess to the upper portion of the fiber optical converter between thethird edge portion and the third sidewall portion when the segregationpanel is in the closed position.
 16. The enclosure of claim 13, whereinthe sidewall panel portion of the segregation panel includes a loweredge portion configured to fit within the lower wall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the side portion of the fiberoptical converter between the lower edge portion and the lower wallportion of the base housing when the segregation panel is in the closedposition.
 17. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the extension panelportion of the segregation panel includes a first edge panel extensionportion that is configured to fit within the fourth sidewall portion ofthe base housing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber opticalcable portion between the first edge panel extension and the fourthsidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.18. The enclosure of claim 17, wherein the extension panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a second edge panel extension portionthat is configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the second edge panel extension and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.
 19. Theenclosure of claim 13, wherein the fiber optical cable portion, thefiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cable splitter,and the plurality of output cable portions are configured to beconnected to one another when the segregation panel is in the closedposition.
 20. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the segregation panelis configured to allow access to the fiber optical cable portion and thefiber optical converter when the segregation panel is moved to the openposition without having to disconnect any one of the fiber optical cableportion, the fiber optical converter, the coaxial input cable, the cablesplitter, or the plurality of output cable portions.
 21. The enclosureof claim 13, wherein the segregation panel includes an upper surfaceconfigured to be mounted to the cable splitter.
 22. The enclosure ofclaim 13, further comprising: a base panel configured to encircle aplurality of fiber optical cable portions around the fiber opticalconverter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions.
 23. The enclosure of claim 13, further comprising: a basepanel configured to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius of aplurality of fiber optical cable portions arranged around the fiberoptical converter when the segregation panel is in the open and closedpositions.
 24. The enclosure of claim 23, wherein the base panel isconfigured to be coupled to the segregation panel.
 25. An enclosure forcontrolling access to a fiber optical component nested below a coaxialcable component comprising: a base housing portion configured to atleast partially house a fiber optical component, the base housingportion having a base wall portion, a first side wall portion, and asecond side wall portion; a segregation panel configured to move betweena closed position, where the segregation panel prevents access to thefiber optical component and where the fiber optical component is nestedbelow a coaxial cable component, and an open position, where thesegregation panel is configured to allow access to the fiber opticalcomponent; wherein the segregation panel includes an upper panel edgeportion configured to prevent access to the fiber optical componentbetween the upper panel edge portion and the first side wall portion ofthe base housing portion when the segregation panel is the closedposition, and an extension panel edge portion configured to preventaccess to the fiber optical component between the extension panel edgeportion and the second side wall portion of the base housing portionwhen the segregation panel is the closed position.
 26. The enclosure ofclaim 25, wherein the upper panel portion of the segregation panelincludes a first edge portion configured to fit within the firstsidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to prevent access tothe upper portion of the fiber optical component between the first edgeportion and the first sidewall portion when the segregation panel is inthe closed position.
 27. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the upperpanel portion of the segregation panel includes a second edge portionconfigured to fit within the second sidewall portion of the base housingportion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of the fiberoptical component between the second edge portion and the secondsidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.28. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the upper panel portion of thesegregation panel includes a third edge portion configured to fit withinthe third sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as to preventaccess to the upper portion of the fiber optical component between thethird edge portion and the third sidewall portion when the segregationpanel is in the closed position.
 29. The enclosure of claim 25, whereinthe sidewall panel portion of the segregation panel includes a loweredge portion configured to fit within the lower wall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the side portion of the fiberoptical component between the lower edge portion and the lower wallportion of the base housing when the segregation panel is in the closedposition.
 30. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the extension panelportion of the segregation panel includes a first edge panel extensionportion that is configured to fit within the fourth sidewall portion ofthe base housing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber opticalcable portion between the first edge panel extension and the fourthsidewall portion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.31. The enclosure of claim 29, wherein the extension panel portion ofthe segregation panel includes a second edge panel extension portionthat is configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cableportion between the second edge panel extension and the third sidewallportion when the segregation panel is in the closed position.
 32. Theenclosure of claim 25, wherein the fiber optical component comprises afiber optical converter connected to a fiber optical cable portion whenthe segregation panel is in the closed position, and the coaxial cablecomponent comprises a cable splitter connected to a coaxial input cableextending from the fiber optical converter and connected to a pluralityof output cable portions when the segregation panel is in the closedposition, and the segregation panel is configured to allow access to thefiber optical cable portion and the fiber optical converter when thesegregation panel is in the open position without having to disconnectthe fiber optical cable portion, the fiber optical converter, thecoaxial input cable, the cable splitter, or the plurality of outputcable portions.
 33. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the fiber opticalcomponent and the coaxial cable component are connected together whenthe segregation panel is in the closed position, and the segregationpanel is configured to allow access to the fiber optical cable portionand the fiber optical converter when the segregation panel is in theopen position without having to disconnect the fiber optical componentand the coaxial cable component from one another.
 34. The enclosure ofclaim 25, wherein the coaxial cable component comprises a splitter andthe segregation panel includes an upper surface configured to be mountedto the splitter.
 35. The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the coaxialcable component comprises a splitter, the fiber optical componentcomprises a converter, and the segregation panel includes an uppersurface configured to be mounted to the splitter so as to physicallysegregate the splitter from the converter, allow access to the splitterwhen the segregation panel is in the open and closed position, permitaccess to the converter when the segregation panel is in the closedposition, allow access to the converter when the segregation panel is inthe open position.
 36. The enclosure of claim 25, further comprising abase panel configured to encircle a plurality of fiber optical cableportions around the fiber optical converter when the segregation panelis in the open and closed positions.
 37. The enclosure of claim 25,further comprising a base panel configured to maintain a minimumpermissible bend radius of a plurality of fiber optical cable portionsarranged around the fiber optical converter when the segregation panelis in the open and closed positions.
 38. The enclosure of claim 37,wherein the base panel is configured to be coupled to the segregationpanel such that the segregation panel moves relative to the base panelwhen the segregation panel moves before the open and closed positions.39. The enclosure of claim 25, further comprising: a lower panel edgeportion configured to prevent access to the fiber optical componentbetween the lower panel edge portion and the base wall portion of thebase housing portion when the segregation panel is the closed position.40. The enclosure of claim 2, further comprising: two mounting hingesprovided on a same side of the lower housing member so as to connect thelower housing member with the panel member, wherein an entry hole isformed in between the two mounting hinges and provides clearance forexternal cables/cords to enter into the enclosure and be provided to aninternal compartment and/or a portion of a cavity of the enclosureoutside of the internal compartment.
 41. The enclosure of claim 40,wherein the panel member, when closed, is configured to provide a secureenclosure for housing a first type of telecommunications systemcomponent within the internal compartment, and the enclosure isconfigured to, when the enclosure and the panel member are both closed,provide a secure enclosure for housing a second type oftelecommunications system component in the portion of the cavity of theenclosure outside of the internal compartment.
 42. The enclosure ofclaim 40, wherein the box hinge side of the lower housing memberincludes one or more apertures that are configured to feed wires from asecond type of telecommunications system component to an exterior of theenclosure, thereby facilitating the persistent connection of the secondtype of telecommunications system component inside the enclosureregardless of whether the panel is in an open or closed position. 43.The enclosure of claim 2, further comprising: two mounting hingesprovided on a same side of the upper and lower housing members so as toconnect the upper and lower housing members, wherein an entry hole isformed in the connected upper and lower housing members in between thetwo mounting hinges and provides clearance for external cables/cords toenter into the enclosure and be provided to an internal compartmentand/or a portion of a cavity of the enclosure outside of the internalcompartment.
 44. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the lower housingmember has a plurality of walls shaped to define the cavity, and whereineach of the plurality of walls has an interior surface facing thecavity, the interior surfaces being shaped to define the outer perimeterportion.
 45. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the different componentsin the telecommunication system include a fiber optical cable portion, afiber optical converter, a coaxial input cable, a cable splitter, and aplurality of output cable portions; wherein the lower housing member hasa lower wall portion configured to partially house a first lower portionof the fiber optical cable portion and a second lower portion of thefiber optical converter, a first sidewall portion, a second sidewallportion adjacent to the first sidewall portion, a third sidewall portionadjacent to the first sidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portionadjacent to the second and third sidewall portions; wherein the panelmember is configured to prevent access to the fiber optical converterand to the fiber optical cable portion in the closed position, andwherein the panel member is configured to allow access to an upperportion of the fiber optical cable portion and allow access to an upperportion of the fiber optical converter in the open position; wherein thepanel member includes an upper panel portion configured to preventaccess to the upper portion of the fiber optical converter when thepanel member is in the closed position, a sidewall panel portionconfigured to prevent access to a side portion of the fiber opticalconverter when the panel member is in the closed position, and anextension panel portion configured to prevent access to the fiberoptical cable portion when the panel member is in the closed position;wherein the upper panel portion of the panel member includes a firstedge portion configured to fit within the first sidewall portion of thebase housing portion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of thefiber optical converter between the first edge portion and the firstsidewall portion when the panel member is in the closed position;wherein the upper panel portion of the panel member includes a secondedge portion configured to fit within the second sidewall portion of thebase housing portion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of thefiber optical converter between the second edge portion and the secondsidewall portion when the panel member is in the closed position;wherein the upper panel portion of the panel member includes a thirdedge portion configured to fit within the third sidewall portion of thebase housing portion so as to prevent access to the upper portion of thefiber optical converter between the third edge portion and the thirdsidewall portion when the panel member is in the closed position;wherein the sidewall panel portion of the panel member includes a loweredge portion configured to fit within the lower wall portion of the basehousing portion so as to prevent access to the side portion of the fiberoptical converter between the lower edge portion and the lower wallportion of the base housing when the panel member is in the closedposition; wherein the extension panel portion of the panel memberincludes a first edge panel extension portion that is configured to fitwithin the fourth sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the fiber optical cable portion between the first edgepanel extension and the fourth sidewall portion when the panel member isin the closed position; and wherein the extension panel portion of thepanel member includes a second edge panel extension portion that isconfigured to fit within the third sidewall portion of the base housingportion so as to prevent access to the fiber optical cable portionbetween the second edge panel extension and the third sidewall portionwhen the panel member is in the closed position.
 46. The enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the different components in the telecommunicationsystem include a fiber optical cable portion, a fiber optical converter,a coaxial input cable, a cable splitter, and a plurality of output cableportions; wherein the lower housing member has a lower wall portionconfigured to partially house a first lower portion of a fiber opticalcable portion and a second lower portion of a fiber optical converter, afirst sidewall portion, a second sidewall portion adjacent to the firstsidewall portion, a third sidewall portion adjacent to the firstsidewall portion, and a fourth sidewall portion adjacent to the secondand third sidewall portions; wherein the panel member is configured toprevent access to the fiber optical converter and to the fiber opticalcable portion in the closed position, and wherein the panel member isconfigured to allow access to an upper portion of the fiber opticalcable portion and allow access to an upper portion of the fiber opticalconverter in the open position; wherein the panel member includes anupper panel portion configured to prevent access to an upper portion ofthe fiber optical converter when the panel member is the closedposition, a sidewall panel portion extending from the upper panelportion and configured to prevent access to a side portion of the fiberoptical converter when the panel member is the closed position, and anextension panel portion extending from the upper panel portion andconfigured to prevent access to the fiber optical cable portion when thepanel member is the closed position; and wherein the upper panel portionof the panel member includes a first edge portion configured to fitwithin the first sidewall portion of the base housing portion so as toprevent access to the upper portion of the fiber optical converterbetween the first edge portion and the first sidewall portion when thepanel member is in the closed position.
 47. The enclosure of claim 1,wherein the compartmentalized enclosure is configured to control accessto a fiber optical component nested below a coaxial cable component;wherein the lower housing member is configured to at least partiallyhouse the fiber optical component, the lower housing portion having abase wall portion, a first side wall portion, and a second side wallportion; wherein the panel member is configured to prevent access to thefiber optical component in the closed position, where the fiber opticalcomponent is nested below the coaxial cable component, and wherein thepanel member is configured to allow access to the fiber opticalcomponent in the open position; wherein the panel member includes anupper panel edge portion configured to prevent access to the fiberoptical component between the upper panel edge portion and the firstside wall portion of the base housing portion when the panel member isthe closed position, and an extension panel edge portion configured toprevent access to the fiber optical component between the extensionpanel edge portion and the second side wall portion of the base housingportion when the panel member is the closed position.